Hayes couple indicted on felony child abuse charges

A Hayes couple was indicted Monday on two felony counts by a Gloucester grand jury in connection with the alleged mistreatment of their daughter.

Brian and Shannon Gore of Carrie Lane were each indicted on one count of aggravated malicious wounding and one count of felony child neglect. The malicious wounding charge carries a punishment of up to life in prison.

Gloucester Sheriff’s Office investigators reported they went to the Gore home in April in connection with an unrelated matter and discovered the couples’ 6-year-old daughter being kept in a cage-like enclosure among deplorable conditions. She was extremely malnourished and apparently starving, according to investigators. The child was immediately hospitalized and is recovering with a foster family.

Investigators also found the remains of a young child, later determined to be a boy, buried beneath a shed in the Gores’ yard. Gloucester Commonwealth’s Attorney Holly Smith said forensics experts are still conducting tests on the remains. She is awaiting a full report on those tests before deciding on whether to press charges in connection with the deceased child.